WYDM 33

“I’ll go check on him…”

“It’s fine.”

Sehera gestured to Himoph, who was about to jump up from his seat. He wanted to check on Ethan’s condition right away, but Sehera could tell from her brief experience living with him.

She wasn’t certain what kind of person he’d originally been, but… he wasn’t someone who would intrude on a gathering without permission and leave without a word.

He was someone who observed basic courtesy. Leaving like that meant he wanted to be alone.

The moment she followed him insisting on staying together or forcibly went to find him, he would snap at her. When he was in pain, he was sharp.

“I see…”

He’d always returned to the estate only when he was hurt, and even when not injured, he’d come back so exhausted he wouldn’t budge from his room.

Worried about him, because she was the duchess in name… and because she wanted to be by his side, she’d wanted to be there during his treatment and nurse him.

Not knowing he’d become so sharp.

“Still… he didn’t need to yell at me like that.”

She couldn’t say he’d only gotten angry at her specifically, but it meant he had no intention of calming her down with special patience either.

Actually, the one who wanted to leave this gathering and go straight to him was Sehera herself. To think she’d feel that way even after hearing him snap at her like that…

She needed to recall what she’d thrown away and left behind. Going like this would mean she’d caused Ethan trouble by leaving and now regretted that day’s decision.

And right now, here… she was living as the true “Sehera.”

“It’s fine for now, but go check on him later when our tea time ends. Just in case he’s still in pain by then.”

When Sehera spoke firmly, Himoph sat back down. Himoph would know best about the injury, but when it came to Ethan, Sehera would know better.

“I’m sorry for not telling you all until now. I just… wanted to let it pass quietly. It was a serious wound too.”

Though it increasingly sounded like an excuse, she thought she should address that part. Everyone probably thought she was acting strange around that man and worried about her.

But… she didn’t bother mentioning that she’d also wanted to nurse Ethan, something she couldn’t do before.

That was a bit embarrassing, and… it was a feeling she wanted to hide, one that should be buried now.

“Farming crops, transporting them, and selling them—these processes will properly establish themselves, so from now on I’m going to seriously pursue reclaiming the count’s title.”

Sehera cast aside her distracting thoughts and spoke to the gathered people with slight determination, almost like a declaration.

That man’s appearance probably sent unknown fears creeping up in each of their hearts. She’d partly brought that on herself too.

From now on, she needed legal status and rights, not just being a count in their hearts. She needed to become “Count Sehera” to everyone.

“That’s right, that’s right. So now it’s time for me to step up.”

“You talk like you haven’t been stepping up all along.”

As Fredil spoke with slight swagger, Nea added somewhat curtly from beside him. Fredil sent her a glance that seemed to find her cute, then looked around at the others.

“I may visit less frequently in person, but I plan to send messengers here occasionally. If you have something to say, leave him a letter, and for urgent matters, tell him directly and it’ll reach me quickly. Um… of course, I hope nothing that urgent happens.”

He finished speaking with a gently smiling face.

If something required a messenger to rush and deliver it to him, it would more likely be negative than positive.

Everyone nodded at his words. Seeing they understood his meaning, Fredil also smiled with satisfaction.

“Our young lady and the lawyer are going to work so hard from now on! To us, our lady is already a count, so stay strong, Count Sehera Planer!”

Today’s first anniversary party was meant to spend good time with grateful people, but it ended up being a time to receive good energy from them again.

It had been exactly one year since taking the first step. With all the time she’d lived, one year was truly just a small step. For the days ahead, she’d need to move slowly and carefully, but sometimes with momentum, and there would be times to run hard and strong.

Sehera thought that time was now. Not just doing what she felt comfortable with, but getting involved in things she didn’t want to do.

Until now, until marrying into the Croft ducal house, she’d lived comfortably as the count’s daughter doing absolutely nothing. And though the past two years had been hard, in the end she’d done nothing but suffer.

Her goal was to never face another two years like that. And to become someone who moved forward step by step, at least…

When together with good people, even if they were people she met every few days, there was much to talk about. The conversation that started during lunch continued through tea time until dinner.

“You could stay and sleep here. Will you be okay on the night road?”

The village people all left in small groups to return to their homes. Today Romina and Sana also went to their respective homes.

“There’s no reason we can’t return at night. I already told the coachmen to rest well, and if we hang luminous stones at the front of the carriage, we can see the road clearly even in darkness.”

As he said, both carriages had luminous stones at the front giving off a gentle glow.

They weren’t very visible now with the light coming from the count’s estate, but once they entered the darkness, those stones would emit a gentle light to illuminate the path forward.

To have such rare items—the boast about making tremendous amounts of money must have been true.

“And how could you let a strange man stay in this estate with no one around, Lady Sehera? You must be careful.”

And he was always honest with his feelings. But unfortunately, she wished he wouldn’t approach with those emotions right now.

Because she kept thinking of Ethan, unable to imagine what emotions he might be feeling in that second-floor room.

Sharp-eyed Fredil couldn’t have missed that Sehera’s reaction to his words—which usually earned a playful smile—had somehow changed. And… who was causing it.

“Nothing good comes from trying to turn back the past, Sehera.”

At her name suddenly called firmly, Sehera raised her eyes to look at Fredil.

The man standing there, seemingly melting into the gentle darkness, was looking at her with beautiful eyes.

“Fredil.”

“Everything might remain like a memory, but you can’t trust those memories. Think about going back to that time right now. Could you endure it? You made that choice because you couldn’t endure it.”

Fredil’s eyes were sincere. Without his usual playfulness, not taking his eyes off her for a moment, not blinking once, his eyes remained fixed like that.

“I know your feelings are sincere.”

Sehera answered slowly but clearly.

Because it was important to respond properly to sincerity. Even though he hadn’t confessed.

“But because of that… I think you’ll understand well how heavy another person’s sincerity can be.”

“…If I didn’t know that, I would have pushed forward recklessly. I emphasize—I’m always very cautious about these matters.”

She’d expected Fredil’s grinning smile when saying such things, but he was serious without even that.

She knew what had made his heart urgent. During the gathering with others, Fredil had been confident. He’d spoken up several times in front of him, showing that he would be the man helping Sehera going forward.

Whether it was to appeal to her or to show Ethan, those words had been spoken to both Sehera and Ethan, explaining what course Sehera would take going forward to the village people.

“I haven’t decided to return to the past. I just couldn’t help being shaken. I just confirmed that this heart… still has unresolved parts.”

“But I’m anxious.”

Fredil said he was the cautious type, but watching what he did with her, she couldn’t guarantee that. Because he was always honest with her.

“I’m worried I’ll lose a capable lawyer because he’s tangled up in these emotions.”

His feelings were appreciated, but she was indeed worried about that aspect. Emotions cloud reason. Even rational people become blind and far from cautious once entangled in emotions.

Just like she’d left the ducal house without caring about his dignity, leaving behind only divorce papers.

“Don’t worry. I swear to that at least. There will never be a time when I can’t complete a commissioned job because of my emotions.”

Only then did Fredil grin and answer. His voice and expression overflowed with confidence, making Sehera believe him again.

“I really trust you with work, Fredil. But anything beyond that… I don’t think so.”

“Forever?”

Fredil asked. She could tell how strong an impression Ethan’s existence had made on him. Or perhaps she’d unknowingly shown such reactions.

Even confident him had anxiety. And that anxiety… felt all too natural.

For someone you love, anxious feelings always arise somewhere, anytime.

“I won’t make you wait. I won’t give you hope. You’re my capable lawyer. I need you, so… don’t make things difficult.”

She said this hoping it wouldn’t look like scolding. Fredil bit his lip hard and frowned. Seeing even his expression crumble, Sehera’s heart also grew heavy.

“F-Fredil…”

Fredil, who’d always maintained distance and drawn his own line to keep, suddenly stepped forward and pulled Sehera into his large embrace.

Thump, thump, thump—she could feel his heart beating. That warm warmth seemed to melt even Sehera’s body, which had been tense ever since Ethan appeared.

But he didn’t stay that way long. The coachman and Nea were waiting for him to return.

“Don’t worry about me like that. I’m not a petty man who’d trouble someone he cares about in that way.”